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“Pull in there. Let’s get some dinner.” Dane stroked the back of my head, and it sent tingles all throughout my body.
I pulled into the restaurant parking and then really realized where we were. “Uh—”
“I got this one.” Dane opened his door.
I looked over at Tituss, who said, “He can afford it.”
Yeah, I knew that, but still. The part of me that was all about taking over and running things hadn’t considered nights like these. My world had somehow closed around the college and the frat. We were walking into a really fancy restaurant. I did notice they pulled their ball caps on, and I cringed a bit since that meant an embroidered xIx on them. Once inside, I almost sighed. Figured. Right at the door was the frat symbol.
“Hey!” A loud man came walking over. They did some sort of hand thing and then hugged as he congratulated them on the win. He looked down and said, “Future champion right there.”
Rip laughed. Dane picked his son up, and we followed the guy to a quiet area. I slid in next to Tituss, and Dane and Rip sat across from us. Rip had a booster seat but used the lower side of it as he didn’t need much. I wasn’t sure how much longer he could be in a car seat, either.
I looked at the menu and couldn’t make a decision as a four-year-old pointed to things with decisive authority. His dad asked, “You sure?”
“Gran lets me.” He looked up at his dad, Dane nodded.
“Okay.” He looked at me. “What are you getting?”
Tituss answered for me, “She doesn’t know.”
I was irritated, even if it was the truth. “I haven’t decided.”
Tituss put his menu down and said, “I’ll order for her, or we’ll be asleep before we eat.”
I somewhat made a sound of protest and said in a whisper, “Rude.”
“Okay then. You order first.” He waited. I looked at Dane and then put my menu down.
The server arrived, and when she looked at me, I looked at Tituss, who smiled widely and ordered for me. He always did when we were in school and went out to get food. I could never just decide, pick something. I wanted more than one…damn. Story of my life unfolding like a real revelation in front of me at this restaurant tonight.
I felt the hand on my thigh under the table and looked over at Tituss. He squeezed and said, “We can take a menu so next time—”
“No.” I shook my head. I looked at Dane, who was setting up the crayons and coloring mat for Rip. “I always want more than I can have.”
I felt a leg under the table tap against mine. I knew from the direction it was Dane’s. Tituss squeezed my thigh again, and I looked over at him. He smiled and said, “I think you can handle it.”
I smiled, but it fell flat. For now. Everything was on a timer. I felt that brush of leg under the table again and smiled for real because Rip said, “Look, Hoppy. It’s you!”
He turned his menu around, and I smiled at him. “Is that you?”
“Twins.” He laughed.
“Well—” I yelped and rubbed my knee. Dane glared at me. I snorted a laugh. “I’m just saying.”
We do have the same daddy. Yeah, he knew exactly what I was saying. Rip had turned the mat around, and Tituss was trying not to be obvious about his own laughter.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tituss
Once we made it back to the frat, it was obvious that Sophomore House was still under control and respecting the fact that we had a child on site. The other houses were celebrating the win. It wasn’t too bad since they were at the Senior House and the pool.
“Read me a stowy, Hoppy.” Rip reached for her hand. He yawned. It was late, and once he rubbed his eyes, I knew he was going to pass right out as soon as he settled in one spot long enough.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Me too.”
Rip looked up and laughed, “Come on!”
